𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗶𝗿 (Killua x oc)

➵ Chapter 11

"That slide literally felt like sand paper..." Itsuki groaned, rubbing her back.

"It was a rough ride... but at least we made it in time!" Gon said cheerfully.

The group has just made it in time before the 72 hour countdown, barely making the cut.

The remaining 24 applicants exited the tower, seeing the sunlight for the first time in days. Itsuki ran around on the fields, exhilarated that she was out of that cramped room.

A scrawny figure showed up, wearing a wicked smile, scanning the applicants with his impish eyes. Itsuki didn't even need to try to guess who that was, It was the cackling examiner from the speakers.

"Next phase will be starting on Zevil Island. A phase that will truly test your hunting skills... before that applicants, draw out a number from this box."

The applicants formed a cue, each drawing out a slip with a number on. The applicants fiddle with their slip of paper, oblivious to what they were meant to do with It.

"I see that everyone has drawn out a number." The examiner began, "an advice, cover your badges! ...For they decide who is the prey, and who is the hunter..." And there he goes with the cackling.

Itsuki looked at her slip of paper: 135.
Then She promptly searched around between the applicants. Unfortunately, she was one second too late as all of them covered their badges.

"To pass this phase, you'll need to collect 6 points. Your badge would cost 3 points and the badge number you drawn out is worth 3 points. The other badges beside you or your prey's is worth 1 point." The examiner explained. "Simple? Let the game begin..."

Itsuki rushed hurriedly to the boat that was going to transport them to Zevil Island before the examiner could begins another chain of his annoying cackles. The others followed after, everyone observing everyone, the atmosphere tense.

—

Itsuki ambled across the fields of Zevil Island aimlessly, trying to figure out exactly how she was going to find #135 in this densely packed forest and not even knowing what the person looks like, she sighed. She then thought of Killua and Gon, what were they doing? Her thoughts were interrupted by loud growl. It was her stomach.

She stopped on her tracks and sat down by the nearest tree, stressed and miserable. Suddenly, something struck her head and dropped by her side. It was a piece of fruit, quite an interesting fruit to say the least, it had an orange elongated body with a white stem at the top.

Without thinking much, Itsuki took a bite. She immediately spat it out, grimacing at the horrendous taste. She leaned her head onto the tree, even more miserable.

Soon, darkness arrived, Itsuki munched on the piece of fruit from earlier, too hungry to criticise the taste.

Itsuki still has no clue how she was going to find her target. " oh well... I've got a whole week before the deadline, no rush~" she somehow persuaded herself.

She finally got up, deciding to find shelter. After an hour or so, she settled down beside a lake. And since it wasn't very safe to spend the night on ground, she circled around, looking for a suitable tree to sleep on.

Suddenly, she halted. She spun around to the direction of east, someone was approaching her. She changed her stance as she kept her gaze unmoving, waiting.

A shadow appeared in the dark, Itsuki was just going to strike when she realised a sense of familiarity in the figure. Focusing on the figure... it was Kurapika.

"K-Kurapika san?!" Itsuki called out.

"Ah, hello Itsuki."

Itsuki at once tensed, keeping her guard up. She could not trust this Kurapika yet, for he knows about Itsuki's identity. There's no guarantee that he wouldn't try to take advantage of her power like the others did. She slowly backs away.

"You don't have to be scared of me, I'm not after your power." Kurapika muttered.

Itsuki froze, how did he know what she was thinking?

"Because I experienced the same." He answered her thoughts.

"W-what do you mean?"

Kurapika sat down beside the lake, gazing up at the stars. "Kurta clan... known for their scarlet eyes, massacred by the phantom troupe five years ago." He averted his gaze down. "That was my clan."

Itsuki didn't keep her guard down, he could have lied about that, a cunning way to build her trust and empathy, then lure her in when her guard is down.

"And no, I'm not trying to earn your trust or empathy."

This time Itsuki failed to detain her confusion. Does this man have the ability to read her mind?

"No, I don't have the ability to read your mind." Kurapika once again answered her thoughts.

Ok, now Itsuki is creeped out.

"I know how you feel. In my younger days. I was always on guard with those vile merchants willing to pull off the dirtiest of deeds for money, gouging out my people's eyes, selling them. We were always discreet with out actions, cautious around anyone around us. Even that, the troupe still found us."

Kurapika's eyes turned to a brilliant shade of red.

"The pain of losing your family, of being alone." Itsuki muttered.

"People always say our features were a gift," Kurapika told her.

"But it's not, it's a curse," Itsuki finished, an unstoppable sadness evokes.

"Not a day feels safe for you, does it? Doubting to trust, insecure of being alone." Kurapika said with solace.

Itsuki nodded. Every word spoke Itsuki's exact feelings, that was only something a person who experience the same pain could interpret. She no longer doubted him, the sadness in his eyes proves it, the turbulent emotions in his eyes were something that cannot be faked, even with the best of actors.

"I know how you feel. It's tough, having to take on the pain of losing your clan and the responsibility to protect them from the curse." Kurapika uttered. "We're the same, you're not alone."

Itsuki stared at him with open eyes, speechless. For the first time in forever, all the emotions she trapped inside of her threatened to leak out. Her eyes were near to watering, though she held it back, holding onto her emotions like it was the last straw. She cannot cry. She cannot afford to cry. She has an obligation.
She has to be strong, she has to be strong.

"I'm aware that we are in separate ways, but when you need a hand, tell me." Kurapika muttered to Itsuki.

Itsuki gazed at the male in front of her, the same past, same tragedy. Itsuki fell into Kurapika's open arms, she wrapped her arms around him, a movement of solace. And it was then, Itsuki felt an unspoken bond being connected; they were the same.

"Thank you."

—

A/N

I know... this chapter having quite the edginess. But here's Ma Kurapika going for that protective big brother energy. And I promise there won't be anymore sadness for a while, I'll save all the emotions for Killua 🙌